III.—Praise to God for our Redemption.
1Blest be the wisdom and the power,
the justice and the grace,
That joined in counsel to restore
and save our ruin'd race.
2Our father ate forbidden fruit,
and from his glory fell;
And we, his children, thus were brought
to death, and near to hell.
3Blest be the Lord that sent his Son
to take our flesh and blood;
He for our lives gave up his own,
to make our peace with God.
4He honour'd all his Father's laws,
which we have disobey'd;
He bore our sins upon the cross,
and our full ransom paid.
5Behold him rising from the grave;
behold him raised on high;
He pleads his merits there to save
transgressors doom'd to die.
6There on a glorious throne he reigns,
and by his power divine,
Redeems us from the slavish chains
of Satan and of sin.
7Then shall the Lord to judgment come,
and with a sovereign voice
Shall call and break up every tomb,
while waking saints rejoice.
8O may I then with joy appear
before the Judge's face;
And with the blessed assembly there,
sing his redeeming grace!